2025 Southwest Astronomy Festival

Beneath the sweep of the Milky Way, dark sky destinations come alive with stories, science, and starlight. This image captures the brilliant stars and the Milky Way crowning the Cedar Breaks Visitor Center on a clear evening.

NPS Photo / Schmitt

Explore Southwest Utah’s dark skies with astronomy programs from Cedar Breaks to Zion and beyond!

Friday, September 12th, 2025

Night Sky Tours at Cedar Breaks National Monument

• When: 8 PM to 11 PM

• Where: Cedar Breaks National Monument, Point Supreme Overlook, 4730 UT-148, Brian Head, UT 84719

Enjoy stargazing with rangers and volunteers! Take a tour of the Solar System, the Milky Way, and the Galaxy. Learn about constellations and asterisms, as well as how they connect cultures across the oceans of time.

Astrophotography Workshop with Don Riddle at Cedar Breaks National Monument

• When: 8 PM to 11 PM

• Where: Cedar Breaks National Monument Picnic Pavilion

  • The Picnic Pavilion is located approximately 0.5-miles north from the Visitor Center along UT-148. The Picnic Area is shares the same general area with the Point Supreme Campground.

  • Parking spaces are available at the Picnic Area.

Join astrophotography expert Don Riddle to learn the basics of astrophotography. This workshop is intended for beginner astrophotographers looking to start exploring how to take night time pictures. Learn the properties of various camera formats, exposure times, composition, etc.
For the best experience, we have limited the number of participants. Please register for the Astrophotography Workshop on our Eventbrite page.

Southern Utah University Star Party at Ashcroft Observatory

• When: 8 PM to 10:30 PM

• Where: Southern Utah University’s Ashcroft Observatory, 745 S Hillcrest Dr, Cedar City, UT 84720

At the Ashcroft Observatory, we will be observing a number of highlights in the Milky Way including the Lagoon Nebula and the Double cluster. The two largest planets of the Solar System, Jupiter and Saturn, will also be up, and Saturn’s ring will dazzle in the eyepiece. Additionally, the Moon will be in an attractive crescent phase that will be very favorable for viewing. The Ashcroft Observatory is located just off Westview drive near the SUU farm.

Southern Utah Museum of Art (SUMA)

• When: 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM

• Where: Southern Utah Museum of Art, 13 S 300 W, Cedar City, UT 84720

In partnership with Cedar Breaks National Monument, Southern Utah Museum of Art is excited to host a community evening to celebrate our night skies. We’ll highlight the significant designation of Cedar Breaks as a National Dark Sky Park and what that means for Iron County community members. Patrons will enjoy sweet treats, a unique opportunity to view art from SUMA’s permanent collection, a hands-on art activity suited to all ages, and the opportunity to view the sun through a solar scope.

Star Party at Zion National Park

• When: 8 PM to 10:30 PM Star Party Zion National Park

• Where: South Campground Amphitheatre

Join us for a special talk about Exoplanets - Presented by our Guest Speaker: Dr. Jessie Christiansen

For thousands of years, we’ve wondered if the Earth is unique, or if there are other Earths out there to find. In just the last 30 years, we’ve progressed from merely wondering if planets exist around other stars to knowing that almost every star we see has planets. Ambitious planet searches have been probing further and further, finding planetary systems of an incredible – and incredibly surprising! – variety. However, we have yet to discover another planet that might be like Earth – a rocky planet orbiting just the right distance from a Sun-like star to have liquid water on its surface. NASA has a audacious new plan for a next-generation flagship telescope that will directly image Earth-like planets around nearby stars, but it will take all of our ingenuity and technical prowess to achieve this incredible feat. Let me walk you through the past, present, and future of our hunt for Earth 2.0.

Learn more about Dr. Jessie Christiansen:

Dr. Jessie Christiansen is the Chief Scientist of the NASA Exoplanet Science Institute and a TED fellow. She has worked on NASA's Kepler, K2, and TESS missions, searching the sky for exoplanets, and is helping plan for NASA’s next big flagship missions - the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, and the Habitable Worlds Observatory. Dr. Christiansen’s research is in the detection and characterization of exoplanets - planets around other stars - and studies of exoplanet populations, and she is currently the most successful woman planet hunter in the world. She is married to fellow astronomer, Philip Hopkins, a professor at Caltech, and also wrangles ten-year-old twins, two cats, and a dog in their house in the foothills of Los Angeles.

 

Beneath a ribbon of stars, the Cedar Breaks Picnic Pavilion offers the perfect place to gather for an astrophotography workshop with expert, Don Riddle.

NPS Photo / Riddle

Saturday, September 13th, 2025

Night Sky Tours at Cedar Breaks National Monument

• When: 8 PM to 11 PM

• Where: Cedar Breaks National Monument, Point Supreme Overlook, 4730 UT-148, Brian Head, UT 84719

Join us for a special talk about Exoplanets - Presented by our Guest Speaker: Dr. Jessie Christiansen

For thousands of years, we’ve wondered if the Earth is unique, or if there are other Earths out there to find. In just the last 30 years, we’ve progressed from merely wondering if planets exist around other stars to knowing that almost every star we see has planets. Ambitious planet searches have been probing further and further, finding planetary systems of an incredible – and incredibly surprising! – variety. However, we have yet to discover another planet that might be like Earth – a rocky planet orbiting just the right distance from a Sun-like star to have liquid water on its surface. NASA has a audacious new plan for a next-generation flagship telescope that will directly image Earth-like planets around nearby stars, but it will take all of our ingenuity and technical prowess to achieve this incredible feat. Let me walk you through the past, present, and future of our hunt for Earth 2.0.

Learn more about Dr. Jessie Christiansen:

Dr. Jessie Christiansen is the Chief Scientist of the NASA Exoplanet Science Institute and a TED fellow. She has worked on NASA's Kepler, K2, and TESS missions, searching the sky for exoplanets, and is helping plan for NASA’s next big flagship missions - the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, and the Habitable Worlds Observatory. Dr. Christiansen’s research is in the detection and characterization of exoplanets - planets around other stars - and studies of exoplanet populations, and she is currently the most successful woman planet hunter in the world. She is married to fellow astronomer, Philip Hopkins, a professor at Caltech, and also wrangles ten-year-old twins, two cats, and a dog in their house in the foothills of Los Angeles.

Take a Tour of the Sky!

After our guest speaker's presentation, enjoy stargazing with rangers and volunteers! Take a tour of the Solar System, the Milky Way, and the Galaxy. Learn about constellations and asterisms, as well as how they connect cultures across the oceans of time.

Astrophotography Workshop with Don Riddle at Cedar Breaks National Monument

• When: 8 PM to 11 PM

• Where: Cedar Breaks National Monument Picnic Pavilion

  • The Picnic Pavilion is located approximately 0.5-miles north from the Visitor Center along UT-148. The Picnic Area is shares the same general area with the Point Supreme Campground.

  • Parking spaces are available at the Picnic Area.

Join astrophotography expert Don Riddle to learn the basics of astrophotography. This workshop is intended for beginner astrophotographers looking to start exploring how to take night time pictures. Learn the properties of various camera formats, exposure times, composition, etc.
For the best experience, we have limited the number of participants. Please register for the Astrophotography Workshop on our Eventbrite page.

Solar Viewing at Red Hills Garden

• When: 10 AM to 1 PM

• Where: Red Hills Desert Garden, 375 Red Hills Pkwy, St. George, UT 84770

Safely view, enjoy, and learn about our closest star, the sun! Join park rangers from Grand Canyon-Parashant, St. George Astronomy Group, and CEBR staff for solar viewing and activities for kids.

Southern Utah University's Portable Planetarium - Family Day at the Cedar City Library

• When: 2 PM to 4 PM

• Where: Cedar City Library, 303 N 100 E, Cedar City, UT 84721

Experience the wonders of the cosmos up close with our portable planetarium, engaging astronomy activities, and captivating storytelling sessions. Hosted by the knowledgeable staff from Cedar City Library and Southern Utah University’s Ashcroft Observatory, this interactive program brings the night sky to life for all ages. Don’t miss this chance to explore stars, planets, and celestial stories in a fun and immersive way!

Star Party by Members of Kanab’s Nonprofit

• When: 8 PM to 10 PM

• Where: Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, 661 S Sand Dunes Rd, Kanab, UT 84741

  • The visitor center has public restrooms.

  • There is a $5 parking fee.

Join our star party where the dazzling constellations of Scorpius and Sagittarius, cradling the Butterfly and Ptolemy Clusters, are the “stars” of the late summer sky while Saturn makes its return! This Star Party is brought to you by Members of Kanab's Nonprofit Stellar Vista Observatory. The 501c3 nonprofit organization plans to build an education observatory in Kanab for public enjoyment of the night sky.

 

From monuments to state parks and local communities, the night sky connects us. Look up and find your nearest dark sky destination.

NPS Photo / Riddle

Sunday, September 14th, 2025

Night Sky Tours at Cedar Breaks National Monument

• When: 8 PM to 11 PM

• Where: Cedar Breaks National Monument, Point Supreme Overlook, 4730 UT-148, Brian Head, UT 84719

Enjoy stargazing with rangers and volunteers! Take a tour of the Solar System, the Milky Way, and the Galaxy. Learn about constellations and asterisms, as well as how they connect cultures across the oceans of time.

Star Party Gunlock State Park

• When: 8 PM to 11 PM

• Where: Gunlock State Park, 1450 Gunlock Rd, Gunlock, UT 84733

View planets, stars, and galaxies with the St. George Astronomy Group in one of Southern Utah’s darkest locations. Red headlamps and/or red flashlights recommended.

Star Party at Springdale Parks & Recreation

• When: 8 PM to 11 PM

• Where: Springdale Community Center, 126 Lion Blvd, Springdale, UT 84767

Join us for a special talk about Exoplanets - Presented by our Guest Speaker: Dr. Jessie Christiansen

For thousands of years, we’ve wondered if the Earth is unique, or if there are other Earths out there to find. In just the last 30 years, we’ve progressed from merely wondering if planets exist around other stars to knowing that almost every star we see has planets. Ambitious planet searches have been probing further and further, finding planetary systems of an incredible – and incredibly surprising! – variety. However, we have yet to discover another planet that might be like Earth – a rocky planet orbiting just the right distance from a Sun-like star to have liquid water on its surface. NASA has a audacious new plan for a next-generation flagship telescope that will directly image Earth-like planets around nearby stars, but it will take all of our ingenuity and technical prowess to achieve this incredible feat. Let me walk you through the past, present, and future of our hunt for Earth 2.0.

Learn more about Dr. Jessie Christiansen:

Dr. Jessie Christiansen is the Chief Scientist of the NASA Exoplanet Science Institute and a TED fellow. She has worked on NASA's Kepler, K2, and TESS missions, searching the sky for exoplanets, and is helping plan for NASA’s next big flagship missions - the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, and the Habitable Worlds Observatory. Dr. Christiansen’s research is in the detection and characterization of exoplanets - planets around other stars - and studies of exoplanet populations, and she is currently the most successful woman planet hunter in the world. She is married to fellow astronomer, Philip Hopkins, a professor at Caltech, and also wrangles ten-year-old twins, two cats, and a dog in their house in the foothills of Los Angeles.

Take a Tour of the Sky!

Join us for stargazing and telescopic observations following our featured guest speaker's talk!